Netflix’s Regency romance is back! Bridgerton season 3: cast and plot

Penelope Feathering and Colin Bridgerton aka (Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton - Bridgerton season 3 leads)

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

Back in April 2021, just as the highly anticipated second season of Bridgerton began filming in the UK, Netflix announced that it had already renewed the dazzling period romance for both a third and fourth season and now dearest readers, Bridgerton season 3 is finally on its way!

Based on a series of eight Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn and adapted for Netflix by Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland productions, follows the Bridgerton family, comprised of widowed matriarch Violet (Ruth Gemmell) and her eight children, as they seek marriage matches in Regency England’s high society.

So far season 1 and 2 have followed the birth order of the Bridgerton children as Julia Quinn wrote them, but it seems we're in for a detour in season 3 as instead of Benedict (Luke Thompson) as the order of the books goes, this season we'll be following Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), aka Lady Whistledown, and Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) romance.

Bridgerton
©Netflix UK

Bridgerton season 3 plot

Filming for Bridgerton season 3 has finally wrapped and Netflix's official synopsis reveals:

“Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) has finally given up on her long-held crush on Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) after hearing his disparaging words about her last season. She has, however, decided it’s time to take a husband, preferably one who will provide her with enough independence to continue her double life as Lady Whistledown, far away from her mother and sisters."

"But, lacking in confidence, Penelope’s attempts on the marriage mart fail spectacularly. Meanwhile, Colin has returned from his summer travels with a new look and a serious sense of swagger. But he’s disheartened to realise that Penelope, the one person who always appreciated him as he was, is giving him the cold shoulder."

"Eager to win back her friendship, Colin offers to mentor Penelope in the ways of confidence to help her find a husband this season. But when his lessons start working a little too well, Colin must grapple with whether his feelings for Penelope are truly just friendly. Complicating matters for Penelope is her rift with Eloise (Claudia Jessie), who has found a new friend in a very unlikely place, while Penelope’s growing presence in the ton makes it all the more difficult to keep her Lady Whistledown alter ego a secret.”

Bridgerton season 3 trailer

Bridgerton cast

Season three is led by Most of the original cast are returning for the third instalment of the show, including the almost all Bridgerton siblings. However, Daphne aka Phoebe Dynevor (the lead alongside the Duke, Regé-Jean Page, in Bridgerton series one) won't be making an appearance and Ruby Stokes who played Francesca Bridgerton has been replaced by Hannah Dodd, due to other filming commitments.

Bridgerton family:
•Anthony Bridgerton - Johnathan Bailey
•Benedict Bridgerton - Luke Thompson
•Colin Bridgerton - Luke Newton
•Daphne Bridgerton - Phoebe Dynevor (seasons 1-2 only)
•Eloise Bridgerton - Claudia Jessie
•Francesca Bridgerton - Hannah Dodd (season 3; Ruby Stokes seasons 1-2)
•Gregory Bridgerton - Will Tilston
•Hyacinth Bridgerton - Florence Hunt
•Violet Bridgerton - Ruth Gemmell

Other main characters:
•Penelope Featherington - Nicola Coughlan
•Kathani "Kate" Bridgerton (née Sharma) - Simone Ashley
•Queen Charlotte - Golda Rosheuvel
•Lady Danbury, Agatha - Adoja Andoh
•Portia Featherington - Polly Walker
•Bessie Carter - Prudence Featherington
•Philippa Finch (née Featherington) - Harriet Cains
•Theo Sharpe - Calam Lynch
•Mrs Varley - Lorraine Ashbourne

New cast members:
•Marcus Anderson - Daniel Francis
•Harry Dankworth - James Phoon
•Lord Debling - Sam Phillips

©@bridgertonnetflix

When is Bridgerton season 3 coming out?

Bridgerton series 3 has been split into two sections, with part 1 arriving on the 16th May at 8am (UK time) and part 2 on Initially, there were hopes of a spring 2023 date - however, the announcement of the prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story meant that this was delayed.

Bridgerton season 3 episode titles

Part I - May 16th, 2024

  • Episode 1: “Out of the Shadows”

  • Episode 2: “How Bright the Moon”

  • Episode 3: “Forces of Nature”

  • Episode 4: “Old Friends”

Part II - June 13th, 2024

  • Episode 5: “Tick Tock”

  • Episode 6: “Romancing Mister Bridgerton”

  • Episode 7: “Joining of Hands”

  • Episode 8: “Into the Light”

Where was Bridgerton filmed?

Most of the filming for the three series happens in Bath, Somerset. Hampton Court Palace features as the home of Queen Charlotte.

When is Bridgerton set?

The romantic show is set in the Regency era (1811 – 1820) and although it's not historically accurate, it does include Queen Charlotte and her husband King George III who became mentally ill when his daughter Princess Amelia died. You can delve into this story in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

©@bridgertonnetflix

Bridgerton soundtrack

The show is known for its classical covers, with the likes of Ariana Grande's thank u, next and Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams being reimagined for the Regency era. Here's the Bridgerton season 3 soundtrack:

  • Gayle’s abcdefu, covered by Vitula (Episode 1)

  • BTS’ Dynamite, covered by Vitamin String Quartet (Episode 2)

  • Nick Jonas’ Jealous, covered by Shimmer (Episode 2)

  • Sia’s Cheap Thrills, covered by Vitamin String Quartet (Episode 3)

  • Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, covered by Vitamin String Quartet (Episode 3)

  • Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey’s Snow on the Beach, covered by Atwood Quartet (Episode 4)

  • Pitbull’s Give Me Everything, covered by Archer Marsh (Episode 4)

  • Ariana Grande's POV, covered by Strings from Paris (Episode 5)

  • Imagine Dragons' Thunder, covered by Thomas Mercier (Episode 6)

  • Demi Lovato's Confident, covered by Archer Marsh (Episode 6)

  • Coldplay's Yellow, covered by Vitamin String Quartet (Episode 7)

  • Taylor Swift's You Belong with Me, covered by Duomo (Episode 7)

  • Ellie Goulding's Lights (Stripped Down), covered by Archer Marsh (Episode 8)

  • Tori Kelly's All I Want, covered by Kris Bowers (Episode 8)

Bridgerton season 1 & 2

The first season, which premiered Dec. 25, 2020, broke Netflix viewing records as it followed eldest daughter Daphne’s (Phoebe Dynevor) search for a husband, and her unexpected connection with the dashing Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (Regé-Jean Page).

Season 2 then tackled the second book in the series, honing in on eldest brother Anthony (Jonathan Bailey’s) enemies-to-lovers romance with the foolhardy Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley).

Best Bridgerton gifts

Bridgerton has collaborated with several well-known brands to create some wonderful products that are perfect for gifting to any Bridgerton super-fan (or yourself)!

Best for homeware

Ruggable Bridgerton Royal Garden Multicolour RugRuggable

Bring the outdoors in with this stunning Ruggable Bridgerton Royal Garden Multicolour Rug. It excellently encapsulates the ditsy flowers and soft colour palette of the series, plus it's machine washable, so what's not to love?

Pros

  • Available in different sizes and as runners or round rugs
  • Option to go tufted or add cushioned padding

Cons

  • Not cheap, but it's made from high quality materials and is made to last

Best for a game

Asmodee Bridgerton The High Society Board GameJohn Lewis

In the Asmodee Bridgerton Board Game, you'll pay as one of the popular characters from the show and go against your friends (aka fellow members of the 'Ton) as you join high society and dance at balls to secure your perfect match.

Pros

  • Suitable for 3 to 6 players (16+)
  • 30 mins of gameplay and can be played multiple times

Cons

  • Could include more characters to play as

Best for food

tested

Biscuiteers Bridgerton Letterbox BiscuitsArabella Horspool, Yours.co.uk

The Biscuiteers Bridgerton Letterbox Biscuits are *almost* too pretty to eat. They arrive beautifully presented, in a box with a gorgeous illustration of the Bridgerton house on the box. Inside you'll find three decently-sized biscuits (Lady Whistledown's quill, Queen Charlotte's wig and Viscountess' carriage) that are full of intricate details that have been hand-iced with care.

As for the taste, they are a light lemon flavour that's gentle on your palette and the icing adds a little crunch.

Pros

  • Hand-iced and packaged carefully to avoid breakage
  • Perfect size for a letterbox gift

Cons

  • No variety of flavours

Best for an experience

Bridgerton Guided Tour of Bath for Twobuyagift

Fancy heading to Bath to see where Bridgerton is filmed? With a Bridgerton Guided Tour of Bath, you can walk in the footsteps of your favourite characters. To accompany your travels, you can wear a pair of headphones which play music and sounds which'll feel like you've been transported into the TV!

Pros

  • Price is for two people for two hours
  • Hear historic quotes, trivia, music, sound-effects and anecdotes (through headphones)

Cons

  • Time-frame may be too short for some

Best for makeup

PAT McGRATH LABS X Bridgerton Blushing DelightsSephora

How cute is this PAT McGRATH LABS X Bridgerton makeup palette? It includes three baked blushes and a glittery heart-shaped golden highlighter in the shades Champagne Venus, Budding Romance, Berry Brilliance and Aphrodisia to compliment any complexion.

Pros

  • Glittery and easy to apply
  • Compact and portable

Cons

  • Packaging could be more robust

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV and film. She enjoys cooking and spending time with her many pets.

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